Black women face a unique set of challenges when it comes to their natural hair. In the workplace, for example, they may face discrimination based on their hairstyles. In addition, there is a general fear of individuality, especially among African-American women. Embracing your natural hairstyle is one way to combat these challenges.
Black women face discrimination for their hairstyles in the workplace
According to a new study, Black women with natural hair are more likely to experience microaggressions at work because of their hairstyles. “Afrocentric” hairstyles are often viewed as less professional than “Eurocentric” hairstyles, which are based on European standards of beauty. This has resulted in Black people historically being forced to alter their appearances in order to fit into the aesthetic norms of professional white environments,” said Drexel University law professor Wendy Greene.
While there is some progress being made in the workplace, it’s still important to recognize the impact that hairstyle discrimination has on a woman’s career prospects. While the CROWN Act has been in effect for 40 years, more laws are needed to prevent this type of discrimination. The reason for this is simple: hairstyles have nothing to do with qualification, competency, or work ethic. Hairstyles should not determine how people are hired, and they should not determine whether or not they can share space with their counterparts.
Hair discrimination affects Black women’s chances of getting hired, being recognized, and promoted. In addition, hairstyles often reflect societal values and stereotypes. Those who have natural hair are seen as less professional than those who wear straight hair. In many instances, women with natural hair are not even referred for job interviews.
The CROWN Act, sponsored by Dove and the Color of Change, aims to ban such discrimination. The legislation, which is still in the process of passing in the Senate, would protect Black women from discrimination due to hairstyles. The CROWN Act seeks to protect the rights of women who want to wear their natural hair and avoid chemical straightening.
Studies show that black women are more likely to be sent home from the workplace because of their hairstyles. Research also shows that Black women with natural hair are less likely to get job interviews than their white counterparts. Other forms of discrimination include sizeism and colorism.
Some examples of discrimination against hairstyles include the public school athletic association’s decision to bar a Black student from participating in athletic competition while allowing white student-athletes to wear their natural hair. Similarly, a charter school told a Black student with dreadlocks to change their Afro. Another example is a children’s dance company requiring girls to cut their hair and wear a “smooth bun” in order to participate in classes.
In recent years, there have been a series of high-profile cases that show that Black women face discrimination in the workplace because of their hairstyles. In one case, a Black nurse was fired from a waitress job because she was wearing her natural hair in a bun. Another case involved a black news anchor who was fired from an American Screening position due to her natural hair.
The New York City Commission on Human Rights has affirmed that such policies are in violation of NYCHRL anti-discrimination provisions.
Fear of individuality between hair types is a common reality for African-American women
African-American women’s hairstyles can significantly affect their self-perception. Many of them have various types of hair, including weaves, wigs, dreadlocks, and chemically processed hair. Then there are those who have unprocessed or “natural” hair. In one recent study, researchers examined the effects of different hairstyles on African-American women’s self-perception.
Embracing your natural hair is a positive thing
There are many benefits to embracing your natural hair. It gives you a sense of self-confidence and lets others know that you are true to yourself. Not only will it make you look better, but it will also change the way people perceive you. It can also help you connect to your inner self, which is important for a better self-image.
